CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — In his first go-round with the Argos, Ricky Foley was a square peg in a round hole.
The Courtice, Ont. native is back home for the second time in his career following a two-year stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, one that included the 32-year-old winning the third Grey Cup ring of his career.
Foley’s first go with the Argos was highlighted by a 100th Grey Cup victory, but also marred in disappointment due to a system that didn’t fit his style of play.
This time, Foley expects, things will be different. Argos fans may get their first glimpse of the real Ricky Foley.
“It’s refreshing,” says Foley. “The system’s awesome.”
The veteran pass rusher is referring to that of Tim Burke and Casey Creehan’s, which focuses on the front four as a source of generating pressure.
“I’ve known Casey for a long time and I’ve always wanted to play in his system and Coach Burke’s system,” he continues. “Pass rushers get rewarded in this system.”
In 2012, Foley’s final season in Toronto and then Defensive Coordinator Chris Jones’ first, Foley had only three sacks. The top single-season sack-getter throughout Jones’ two years running a successful Argo defence had just six.
That changed as soon as Burke arrived.
Until last season, the Argos hadn’t had a player reach double digit sacks since 2004 when Noah Cantor accomplished the feat. In Burke’s first season in Toronto in 2014, rookie rusher Tristan Okpalaugo had 12.
That has Foley, a member of a defensive line that last year had three players with double-digit sacks (including his own 12), thinking big.
“I’m looking forward to next year. I’m looking forward to the best year of my career,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to be just a straight pass rusher because you want to know how good you can be.”
“I think I’ll get the opportunity next year to find out.”
Even if he doesn’t reach that career-high of 12 sacks, you can bank on Foley bringing plenty of extra character to an Argo defence that could use some. The Argos missed the playoffs last year after failing to rebound following a difficult start.
Injuries sidelined every one of the team’s top receivers on offence throughout at least part of the season, while the defence spent most of the season adjusting throughout the first year in a new system led by the veteran Burke.
In the off-season, the Argos were able to maintain continuity on the defensive side of the ball, as Burke and Creehan were both announced to the staff for the second straight season. Then, the team shipped National linebacker Shea Emry to Regina for Foley.
Emry was one of those glue guys himself, and his presence will be missed on the Argo defence. However, he was made expendable by the addition of National linebacker and former draft pick Cory Greenwood last season.
The Argonauts, by all accounts, are thrilled to have Foley back in Double Blue.
“He’s a Toronto Argonaut, and even when he was in Green and White, every time I watched him play I felt like he was in the wrong jersey,” says General Manager Jim Barker. “He’s a Toronto guy, he’s got strong roots in this area and I think he’s matured a lot.”
“I think that this defensive staff is excited about having the things he can bring,” the Argos’ veteran GM continues. “I just think the combination of all those things – Ricky’s going to bring us a bit of a presence.”
The presence is that of a winner, which in itself is pretty hard to define. With so many players on the field at a time, it’s hard to pick out a defensive lineman and say ‘he just knows how to win’. But with Foley, whatever the presence is – however you define it – he has it.
“Having Foley back, he brings leadership, experience, a voice – he’s someone that’s successful in this league,” says veteran slotback and 2012 Most Outstanding Player Chad Owens. “I think in this defensive scheme, his talents will flourish and he’ll have a career-type year.”
After watching Foley pick up 19 sacks over two years with Saskatchewan, Barker agrees.
“He understands what it takes to win,” says Barker. “The guy won two straight Grey Cups and he had a lot to do with both of them.”
“We’re so excited to have him back, and I said to him that it’s like having a part of the family finally come back. We’re excited about him.”
Back home and comfortable as he talks to reporters at Shoeless Joe’s on King St., the same place he’d convene with players and fans after games the last time he was here, Foley says he can’t take all of the credit for his three Grey Cup rings.
Yet in having them, he admits he understands just what’s required to win a championship in this league.
“There are certain characteristics about championship teams that are different, and as a veteran you kind of know pretty early on whether or not a team can do it,” says Foley. “You have to bond, you have to have some nights out and you have to go through some adversity and come together.”
“The sooner you can bond, the sooner you can become a full team.”
“That’ll change your path come playoff time.”
It’s a bond the Argos never seemed to establish in 2014, and one fans hope can be built from the get-go this season.
